Ashwagandha

06 Apr Ashwagandha

1.What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng , botanically named Withania Somnifera, is a common medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine in India for thousands of years. Ashwagandha is Sanskrit, meaning the smell of horses. It refers to both the unique smell of horses and the ability to increase strength. Ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers. It is native to India and North Africa. The root or leaf extract or powder of the plant can be used to treat various diseases. It has the effects of fighting stress, improving physical fitness and metabolism. It is also known as Rejuvenation medicine, similar plants include Maca, Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng and Rhodiola.

2.Function of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha contains alkaloids, steroid lactones, Ashwagandha lactone and iron.Alkaloids have the functions of calming pain and lowering blood pressure. Withanolide has anti-inflammatory effects and can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It can also be used for chronic inflammations such as lupus and rheumatic inflammation, reduce leucorrhea, improve sexual function, etc. It also helps Rehabilitation of chronic diseases. Ashwagandha is also recognized as having significant antioxidant capacity and immunity-enhancing functions.

1.Reduce fatigue and anxiety

A study showed that adults who took 300 mg of Ashwagandha daily for 8 weeks had lower levels of anxiety and fatigue, and they were also more likely to concentrate than adults who received psychotherapy or talk therapy for the same amount of time. Several controlled human studies have shown that Ashwagandha can reduce symptoms in patients with stress and anxiety. In a study of patients with chronic stress, people in the Ashwagandha supplement group reported an average of 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia. The placebo group was 11%, and in another study, 88% of people taking ashwagandha reported a reduction in anxiety. In a double-blind study, Ashwagandha extract (300 mg) or placebo was given to subjects with a history of severe chronic stress twice a day for 60 days. At the end of the study, the Ashwagandha extract group had significantly lower scores on all stress assessment scales (P<0.0001).

2.Reduce depression

Some current studies indicate that Ashwagandha may help relieve depression. Studies have shown that people who take 600 mg of high-concentration Ashwagandha extract daily report a 79% reduction in major depression.

3.Help hypnosis

Ashwagandha root extract is a natural compound that has the potential to induce sleep and is well tolerated. A study shows that taking 300 mg of extract twice a day can improve the sleep quality and sleep latency of patients with insomnia, according to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality The evaluation conducted by the PSQI showed that the time required to fall asleep and the number of waking up in the middle of the night have been reduced, and the overall quality of sleep has also been optimized. Another animal study found that the triethylene glycol in Ashwagandha can make people fall asleep, but more research is needed.

4.Anti-cancer

Many current studies have shown that Ashwagandha contains compounds that may help fight certain types of cancer, and its extract limits the activity of cancer cells in breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, lung, and brain cancers. It has the same effect on thyroid cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, cervical cancer and skin cancer (melanoma). Ashwagandha is considered safe to be used in traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But most of these studies are conducted on cancer cells or animals with cancer, and more studies on the population are needed to confirm.

5.Good for improving brain function

Studies have shown that Ashwagandha can slow, stop and possibly reverse certain types of nerve cell damage. This is the cause of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. However, it is important to know that almost all research on Ashwagandha and brain nerve cell damage is conducted on animals or animal cells. Ashwagandha promotes antioxidant activity and protects nerve cells from harmful free radicals. Based on this test tube and animal studies have shown that Ashwagandha can relieve memory and brain function problems caused by injury or disease.

Some studies have found that Ashwagandha can relieve arthritis-related symptoms, such as pain and joint swelling, and can also increase sperm counts in infertile men and improve the health of male sperm.

However, the taking of any drug should be under the guidance of a professional doctor and should not be affected by all kinds of advertisements alone. Some people with underlying diseases should avoid using Ashwagandha. For example: People taking thyroid disease drugs should be careful when taking Ashwagandha because it may increase thyroid hormone levels. Patients with high blood pressure and diabetes also need to be aware that Ashwagandha may lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, so you need to communicate with a specialist in cardiovascular medicine and endocrinology before taking it.

Pls. under medical professional guidance when taking herbs.

Reference：

1.Misra L , Lal P , Sangwan R S , et al. Unusually sulfated and oxygenated steroids from Withania somnifera[J]. Phytochemistry, 2005, 66(23):2702-2707.

2.A, Sharanbasappa Durg , S. B. S. B , and S. B. C . “Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis – ScienceDirect.” Phytomedicine 50(2018):247-256. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711317301721?via%3Dihub.

3.Sharma AK et al. “Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 24, no. 3 (March 2018): 243-248.

4.https://natreoninc.com/sensoril

5.https://ksm66ashwagandhaa.com/

6.Deepak, Langade, Subodh, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.[J]. Cureus, 2019, 11(9):e5797.

6.Chandrasekhar K , Kapoor J , Anishetty S . A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults[J]. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine,34,3(2013-01-14), 2013, 34(3):255-262. https://www.ixueshu.com/document/5b5708a28ee55286318947a18e7f9386.html.

7.Ng QX, Loke W, Foo NX, Tan WJ, Chan HW, Lim DY, Yeo WS. A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction. Phytother Res. 2020 Mar;34(3):583-590.

8.A Standardized Withania Somnifera Extract Significantly Reduces Stress-Related Parameters in Chronically Stressed Humans: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study http://www.nuvocare.us/assets/pdf/SleepOn_Cortisol%20Study.pdf.

9.Chengappa K N R , Bowie C R , Schlicht P J , et al. Randomized Placebo-Controlled Adjunctive Study of an Extract of Withania somnifera for Cognitive Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder[J]. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2013, 74(11):1076-1083. http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0816/1cf1564b6c2658f6d437a441f1eff264cb70.pdf.

10.Pingali, Usharani, Pilli, et al. Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants.[J]. Pharmacognosy Research, 2014.